I, typically, get more than (3) bloom-stalks on blooming AV's.

This is Optimara Ingrid, ... coming into a second blooming cycle.

Optimara Ingrid

The density of bloom is dependent, to a large extent, on the general health of the plant.

So, no ... you don't need to debud to get masses of bloom.

You just need to keep your plants well-fed (NOT overfed) and well-lighted (NOT over-lighted), besides maintaining their general health.

Debudding is more effective in controlling WHEN your plants bloom, rather that HOW MUCH.

African Violets normally go through cycles of bloom. They'll bloom for a while, then rest for a while, then bloom again. Usually, it's after a period of rest (while receiving good care) that AV's will bloom their fullest.

Oh, it's nice to hear disbudding is not necessary!

Love your AV, aegis, and I think I see out 5 stalks there. So nice.

I don't know why I only get 3 bloom stalks most of the times, despite what I think is correct care. It's hard to know for sure where is the perfect line between under-fertilizing and over-fertilizing and how much is optimal light.

I have recently reduced my fertilizer as I suspected I was overdoing it.

My plants might still be getting too much natural light because of their location but other than some measures to reduce direct sun, such as placing plants further away from the window, I can't do much as I don't have a more convenient location for my stands in the house. As the cold season approaches I will probably rely more on artificial light but even with that there is a problem, as my shelves are not adjustable and the grow lights can only go about 7-8 inches above the plants, not higher. And the bigger the plants get, the closer to the lights they are.

Hopefully the combination of natural light (without strong sun) and some limited hours of artificial light 7 inches above...should do the trick.

For now, I am getting some bloom from two Optimaras....just not as much as I'd like. :)

The bouquet style of blooms was developed by Optimara brand. Ingrid as shown is an example. You can read about it on the Optimara website.

the trick isn't always in getting many bloom stalks, but also how many buds per stalk. Natalie, for example, often only has one bud per stalk. in hybridizing, you look at that trait and would pick a plant with many buds, if you have comparable hybrids.

as for show plants. i doubt you can get the same effect without at least some disbudding. it doesn't have to be all year, but a couple of months would probably help. - else it wouldn't be practiced. having said that, those plants are pretty much treated to bloom once, prolifically, and then they are either thrown out, or re-started from a crown cutting. a lot of work, considering you can have near constant blooms without special treatment. just now "show spectaculariffic".

anyhow, give the plant the best treatment you can, and it will pay you back in blooms :)

Karin